Andoni Iraola explains why Chiesa and Elliott didn’t make Liverpool matchday squad v Newcastle | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola has explained why Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott weren’t in the Liverpool matchday squad for the 2-2 draw against Newcastle last weekend.

They were the two standout omissions from the 20 Reds players who either started or were on the bench, and their absences have fuelled speculation that they could move on from Anfield altogether in the final few days of the transfer window.

The Italian forward has made just two Premier League starts since joining from Juventus two years ago, while the ex-Fulham youngster was handed only nine appearances in total during an abortive loan spell at Aston Villa last term.

Iraola explains Chiesa and Elliott absences v Newcastle

Iraola spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of Liverpool’s game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and he was asked about the absence of Elliott and Chiesa for the visit to St James’ Park last weekend.

He explained (via Liverpool Echo): “Fede is not available. In the game against Como he felt something in his back.

“With Harvey and some of the players, I can only choose 20. Harvey is trying and improving every week but I still prefer other options, about the balance on the bench.

“That’s why James McConnell was in the squad, but it’s now another new week and new chances for everyone. They have to keep that mentality.”

(Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

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What now for Elliott after Iraola snub?

Fabrizio Romano had also reported of Chiesa nursing a minor injury after playing against Como earlier this month, and with Liverpool’s number 14 also sidelined for the Forest match on Saturday, it seems as though Iraola plans to keep him around the squad at least.

However, for the head coach to publicly admit that he prefers other options to Elliott doesn’t bode well for the 23-year-old, who must now be wondering if there’s any prospect of him getting a look-in under the new boss after being ostracised by both Arne Slot and Unai Emery last season.

Maybe Iraola will shuffle the pack slightly for this coming weekend and our number 19 will at least be among the substitutes, but he absolutely can’t afford another campaign of feeding off scraps.

He’s been encouraged to cut his ties with Liverpool for good and seek a fresh start elsewhere, and now that he’s into the final year of his contract at Anfield, it’s plausible that the Reds could be open to a sale before the transfer deadline next Tuesday.

We’d like to see Elliott being retained on Merseyside, but we also understand that he might wish to make a clean break if he were to feel that his prospects of regular game-time in L4 are meagre at best. The team sheet on Saturday promises to be quite interesting.